There should be government assistance for you to help you take care of your baby, since you're still a minor. Are your parents involved with your child? Perhaps they can help? Is the child's father still in the picture? He should be helping with the baby, too.

I wish there was something more I could say to help- I don't know much about your home life or what sort of situation you're in. Nystatin is only around $7 at a pharmacy- its not that expensive.

I don't know how your child is sick- if its a major virus or just a stuffy nose. You'll want to pick up a nasal aspirator and saline drops to keep the baby's nasal passages clear if its just a stuffy nose. Children's tylenol helps with fevers and clearing the sinuses, too. Those are about the only things you can give your baby if she's sick.

Have you been to the doctor?

Thrush will go away by itself. It may take awhile and get a lot worse before it gets better but it will go away. Make sure you are sterilizing everything. If you are bottle feeding make sure you sterilize the bottle and nipples after every feed. Make sure you also sterilize pacifiers a lot---if you use them. Thrush is very uncomfortable (I used to get thrush when I was younger because of my asthma medication) Really try to find someone to lend you the money to get the medicine.

I am not sure how sick your baby is but if you are concerned and live in the US just bring the baby to the ER---they will have to treat her regardless of your ability to pay. If she just has a little cold there is not much they can give her anyway so I totally agree with the pp.

Good luck I hope she feels better soon!!!!!

Took a look at your profile so I had a little more of an idea of what's going on. Take your boyfriend to court. Have DNA tests done if necessary. He is the father of your baby and needs to take responsibility for what he's done. The government should give you some sort of assistance- probably welfare and food stamps. It won't be a lot of money, but it'll be enough to make sure your daughter is taken care of. Once your boyfriend becomes 18, you can start pressing him for child support.

How have your foster parents reacted to your having a baby? Are they supportive? Talk to them about what you can do for your baby and ways to make yourself financially stable. If they're no help, get a case worker.

Your baby girl is very beautiful! You can already see her personality shine through. I'm sure she will help ground you in times of complete chaos. I know you're probably to the point of exhaustion, but hang in there! Motherhood is such a rewarding experience. If you need any help, just know that we're all here for you! I hope things start to look up for you.

((hugs))

you can apply for help through the dept of health and welfare in your state. Look up the SHIP program it is for children of families with little money. Also apply for WIC program to cover food and formula etc. Your hospital would have a Social Worker, if you go to the ER for treatment for your baby, you then can ask to speak with a SW who can help you. Also some hospital have pharmacy assistance programs where they will give 2 weeks of med free once in the year. But it is not expensive, see if you can borrow some funds from a friend, get the generic brand and it should not be more than 10.00. Also call your ped doctor and ask them to assist you, many have connections with groups in the area that offer assistance. If you belong to a church or something like that they can often assist you. Since you are 17 there is also assistance for health care for you, Dept of Social Services is where you need to be ASAP!

Hello scenequeen,
The cheapest and easiest, although a bit dirty method of getting rid fo thrush is available at the drugstore or natural foods store: gentian violet. Apply it into your baby's mouth, and onto all of her bottles, pacifiers, etc. Careful, it stains everything!
Here is some info on gentian violet that equally applies to other cases of thrush. Us a q-tip or your finger to put it into your baby's mouth, and swabit all around:

http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Gentian%20Violet.asp

Thrush is actually a yeast infection, called candida: for more on the topic:

http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Candida-Protocol.asp

If it still does not go away after you use the gentian violet for a coupl of weeks, then consider getting a prescription for fluconazole, which you can give to her by mouth:

http://www.drjacknewman.com/help/Fluconozale.asp

It is extremely imortant that you ALWAYS sterilize all of her bottles and pacifiers properly between each feeding. Cleanliness is important.

If you find that thrush is a reucurrent problem, you may wish to consider changing the formula. Certain ingredients in her formula may predispose her to thrush. Also, after you give her the formula, offer her a bit of plain water to wash everything wdown. Formula staing in her mouth can be a culprit. And do not jsut let her bottles stay with her while she sleeps, or between feedings....

Good luck, and let us knwo what happens!

My MIL lives in Idaho and has been to one of these clinics and really liked it. They go by your income so if you don't have much then the fee should be low. It's a start.
Terry Reilly Health Services
Boise Clinic
Location: 848 La Cassia Boise, Idaho 83705
Appointments: (208) 344-3512
Hours of Operation:
Monday thru Friday - 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Located in the capitol city, the Boise Clinic's goal is to provide comprehensive, affordable and accessible primary health care services to homeless, formerly homeless patients and those qualified for Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance.

Our goal is to serve you as quickly and effectively as possible. The Boise Clinic is not an emergency facility. If you feel you need medical attention immediately, we will do our best to see you right away or find other alternatives. If you are unable to make a scheduled appointment, please call and let us know 24 hours in advance if possible.

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Payment is expected at the time of your visit, but payment arrangements can be made if necessary. We also accept Medicaid and Medicare, and we are a Healthy Connections provider. No one who meets our eligibility guidelines will be denied service for inability to pay.